Shark Awareness Day – July 14, 2019

Shark Awareness Day

Shark Awareness Day is observed on July 14 of every year. Sharks are at more risks from humans than the vice verse. Survival of many shark species is at high risk due to hunting, pollution, and climatic changes. Shark Awareness Day was created to spread awareness about the danger of sharks. Shark kills lesser humans than humans to sharks. There are around 400 species of sharks around the world and ranges from 8 inches to 50 feet in size. Sharks can detect the even small drop of blood in the ocean from a long distance, and they are the significant predator in the food chain which makes them a fascinating creature. Most species of sharks are carnivorous, feeding on fishes, crustaceans and even on seals and dolphins. Sharks are cunning hunters, but they are not picky in their eating habit. In spite of their strength and aggressiveness sharks population are continually declining due to various threats mainly because of humans. Sharks play a critical role in maintaining the food chain by removing all weak animals from the ocean and keeping the sea population healthy, and fit.

“Without sharks, you take away the apex predator of the ocean, and you destroy the entire food chain.” – Peter Benchley

History of Shark Awareness Day

The origination and history behind Shark Awareness Day are unknown. Shark Awareness Day must have been created to educate and warn people about the threats and importance of saving sharks in the oceans. Almost 74 species of sharks are marked as threatened and 11 as endangered. Sharks are majorly killed for their fins as the demand for shark fin soups is increasing in China and the Far East. These soups are priced high which motivates fishers to shoot more. Fins of sharks are considered to have medicinal properties which increase its demand. By-catch is another significant threat to sharks, which is accidentally catching sharks along with other fishes. With the rise in coastal development, pollution, reef tourism, climate changes, etc. the life of sea animals all over the world are under threat. As sharks reproduce in small numbers, the pollution of sharks is in the constant decline phase. On this day spread the knowledge and make a change to save them.

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Shark Awareness Day

Other Celebrations on July 14

How to celebrate Shark Awareness Day

On Shark Awareness Day, create awareness and spread the knowledge on the importance of protecting the monster sharks. You can learn about the role of sharks in the environment and the necessity to save them. On this day you can take a few steps to recycle the plastics, raise voice against the poaching and can stop people from consuming sharks. Many museums around the world celebrate the day by conducting awareness programs and by teaching people about maintaining a healthy balance in the food chain. Ocean would die without them as they are the essential predators of the marine ecosystem. Often this animal is wrongly portrayed as evil killers of the ocean. So on Shark Awareness Day, you can take the initiative to save the future of sharks. Post pictures and share your Shark Awareness Day celebrations on social media by using the hashtag #SharkAwarenessDay.